From its first public performances in 1958, to the premiere of the masterpiece Revelations in 1960, through the struggles of touring during the Civil Rights Movement, to the tragic loss of its founder in 1989—across much social upheaval and cultural change, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has thrived as a model of Black resilience and unparalleled artistic excellence. The company now welcomes new leadership, with this residency marking its first Berkeley performances under incoming artistic director Alicia Graf Mack.